FB to Users: Don't Give the Boss Your Password

Facebook has changed it policies to make asking for passwords a violation.

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After a "distressing" number of reports of employers asking job candidates for the password to their Facebook account, the Menlo Park social network is stressing that its Statement of Rights and Responsibilities clearly states that demanding login information is a violation of its rules.

Additionally, Facebook could bring legal action against employers who are violating the privacy of potential employees.

In a post about this alarming trend, Erin Egan, Facebook's chief privacy officer wrote, "We'll take action to protect the privacy and security of our users, whether by engaging policymakers or, where appropriate, by initiating legal action, including by shutting down applications that abuse their privileges."

The ACLU has also spoken out about employers asking potential hires for access to private Facebook profiles after a person interviewing for a job was asked to log in to his Facebook account and show the interviewer his personal information.

A Facebook spokesperson tells us:

We don’t think employers should be asking prospective employees to provide their passwords because we don’t think it’s right the thing to do. While we do not have any immediate plans to take legal action against any specific employers, we look forward to engaging with policy makers and other stakeholders, to help better safeguard the privacy of our users.